Review: Milani Purple Gleam & Sale Alert

Just a heads up, CVS is having a clearance sale...50-75% select items! I saw the sale on Nouveau Cheap's blog. The link will be below. You might want to scan the sale items before you check out because some of the sale items on the list were not on sale at my CVS.

I ended up buying four Milani nail polishes, the Revlon Colorstay concealer in light and a backup of my favorite light, Wet-n-Wild's single shadow in Brulee. I got all this for $9.06 with $22.93 in savings.

Whenever I got home I decided to try Milani's One Coat Glitter in Purple Gleam. I have been obsessed with purples lately, literally cannot get enough!

The polish...

One Coat. 

I really wanted to put this polish to the test since it's called one coat. On my index and ring finger I'm only wearing one coat of the glitter polish. On my middle and pinky finger I'm wearing Wet-n-Wild's Disturbia (a deep purple) as a base and one coat of Purple Gleam, Honestly, one coat of Purple Gleam alone doesn't cut it for me. I do, however, like the purple base with the glitter over it. Hopefully it will be easier to get off because there isn't as much glitter on that nail. 

Two Coats.

I have two coats on all the nails and I think they all look the same. In the future, I will use the Disturbia as a base and only one coat of the glitter polish because I don't think it makes that big of a difference and I don't have an extra layer of glitter to get off. 

Overall Thoughts...

I think this is a beautiful true purple glitter polish. Obviously the one coat claim isn't entirely true, but with either a base coat or two glitter coats, it's just perfect. I do reccommend this polish to anyone wanting to try it. It's gorgeous on the nails...and it's only $1.25 at CVS right now!

Glitter is tough to remove so use the foil method to remove this (or other glitter) polishes.

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I am overly excited about my wonderful deals from CVS!
• Ross' Christmas present came in today and the nail polish I ordered for myself came in too. What a pleasant surprise since it came a few days early! 
• I had a study session with a friend from class and I feel a little bit better about our final tomorrow. We met at Starbucks and I had the Gingerbread Latte (which is delicious), but since I don't drink things with caffeine, I'm a bit jittery. Lol

Click here to see the CVS clearance list on Nouveau Cheap's blog.


Which Milani polishes do you like?! (:

Nail of the Day: Maybelline Sequins in 280 Sea-Quins

This is my first time trying Maybelline's Color Show line. I've seen a few colors in their permanent line that were pretty, but none that I had to have. Today, I was in Wal-Mart and saw the color Sea-Quins #820 from their Limited Edition Collection. This collection has been out for a while now, but this is the first time I saw this particular color. There are eight colors in the entire Sequins collection, but this is the only one that stood out to me. I believe I paid less than $3 for this at Wal-Mart- what a steal! (:
I wish I wouldn't have been so late on the bandwagon to try this line's nail polish because this one is great! I will be purchasing more from the Color Show line!

The polish is opaque in 2 coats. Even with a top coat, the glitter still feels rough and doesn't give the shinny finish I would like. Overall, I didn't have any problems with this color and formula. The color is an absolutely gorgeous teal glitter with some sapphire glitter bits in the polish. I paired this polish with Hard Candy's Mr. Right, a basic navy.

Use the foil method to remove stubborn glitter.

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I am obsessed with this nail polish and will be getting a lot of use of it...thinking about buying a back-up.
• I took my first final yesterday. It was in Physical Anthropology and I got a 100 on the final and ended up with an A in the class. (:
• How gorgeous were the lovely ladies in the VS fashion show?!! 
• I ordered Ross' Christmas present last night...I think it should be here tomorrow! 

Have you tried Maybelline's Color Show line? What are your favorite colors?

Throwing Fireballs With Family!

Hello, Pretty People! 
I know it's been forever since my last blog, but school has been crazy...only two more weeks till Christmas break! A month or so ago I mentioned that my family and I would be throwing fireballs in the upcoming weeks and that I would be blogging about it.
I first want to start out by saying that it was so amazing to get together with my family. I had not seen some of them in over 10 years! So, yeah, I was basically re-meeting some of my family all over again.

About fireballs...
Throwing fireballs has been a family tradition for many generations. I asked my grandfather how the tradition started and he couldn't remember. All he could remember was his mother (my great-grandmother) sitting around with her sisters making them for Christmas. When my grandfather was growing up, they didn't have a lot of money for Christmas, so for their entertainment, they threw balls of fire back and forth. Yes, fireballs are literally on fire! Last year, my grandmother made all the fireballs for our family (about 10-12). At that time, only 8 people participated. This year, family I had not seen in over a decade came down, so we needed a bot more than 10-12. This year, we had 22 fireballs with about 15 people throwing.

Last Year (New Year's Eve 2011) 

This weekend (Dec. 1st, 2012)

Diclaimer: I am NOT to be responsible for anyone getting hurt playing with fireballs. My family has been doing this for many, many years so we know what we're doing. Do not attempt! 

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• It was so amazing seeing everyone last night! What a great way to start off the Holiday season! 
• I have my first final tomorrow! Wish me luck! 
• I think I will start Christmas shopping tomorrow! (:

Review: Maybelline Brow Pencil

Holy Grail Brow Pencil!
I have been using this brow pencil for several months now and I have to say, I love it! I don't plan on using any other kind because I am happy with this one! According to the packaging, this is the #1 brow and liner pencil in the U.S.

This is probably the only time you'll ever hear me say that I like this product because it isn't crazy pigmented. When it comes to brow pencils, I feel like less is more. I was so turned off by brow products for years because it was too creamy and too pigmented and my brows looked drawn on...not a cute look, ladies! This one by Maybelline has just enough to give a polished, natural look to your pretty face. When filing in your brows, remember, if you have blonde hair, use a brow pencil that's a shade or two darker than your hair color; if you're a brunette, use a brow pencil that's a shade or two lighter than your hair color. If you have black hair, dark brown looks more flattering and natural, as black can be way too harsh.

My shade is blonde because even though my hair is a light brown, using a brow pencil labeled "light brown" can be a bit harsh.

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• It's the day after the election which means... no more campaign ads! 
• My research paper is due in a week! I am kinda excited to just turn in the damn thing and be done with it. Lol
• I've been obsessively looking at engagement rings online. The "looking" process is so exciting!
• I have two reviews coming in the next week or so. I will be reviewing Suave Dry Shampoo and Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Anti-Chip Top Coat. Trust me, I will have some strong feelings during these reviews...stay tuned. 

Have you tried the Maybelline Brow Pencil or do you have a favorite one?

Review: T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel

I love using witch hazel as an astringent!
I started using witch hazel as an astringent about a month ago. Within that time, I can tell such a difference my in skin tone. Witch hazel is great for oily, irritated, red, damaged, blemished or inflamed skin. Being away at college has made my skin go a little crazy: some days it's fabulous, some days it's a blemished hot mess! I blame my bad skin days on a college diet (lots of frozen dinners) and lack of sleep. Since using witch hazel, my skin looks so much better, but I still get the occasional blemish during "that time of the month." Disclaimer: witch hazel does have a fairly strong scent. It smells kinda like a bonfire (burning firewood). When I first started using it, the smell disgusted me, but I don't notice it bothering me anymore. It took me about a week to get used to the smell. Also, T.N. Dickinson's witch hazel does have 14% alcohol in it but I haven't noticed that it's dried out my skin.

When I apply and how often...
I've incorporated witch hazel in my everyday skin care routine. After I remove all my makeup, I put some witch hazel on a cotton ball and go all over my face and neck. I was surprised after using this that I was never getting off all of my makeup- now I know I am. I don't always use witch hazel in the morning...only if my skin has been more oily than usual (Note: I have combination skin). After witch hazel, I apply my moisturizer, as usual.

Hope yall don't mind the houndstooth scarf. There was a glare on the clear bottle.

The claim...
"Our 100% natural astringent gently cleanses and conditions skin without removing essential moisture."

The price...
It's about $4 at Wal-Mart and about $6 or $7 at the drugstore (prices may vary by location).

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I've finally rotated my closet to my fall wear. While doing that, I went through all my clothes- spring/summer and fall/winter- that I'm going to give away/donate.
• Last night I made the best pork chops EVER! Ross really enjoyed them, too!
• Is anyone else amazed at how fast October went by?! I can't believe November will be here in a week and a half.

What are some of your skin care favorites?

Review: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Night Renewal Cream

Hello, everyone! I feel like it's been ages since my last post, but my classes have been so crazy that I haven't had a chance to blog. 

I am so in love with the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Night Renewal Cream. I bought this about two (maybe three) weeks ago and I can tell the biggest difference in my skin. At 24, I never thought I needed a specific night cream. To me, it seemed like something for maturing skin. However, a few weeks ago, my skin was awful, dry and dull. I purchased this night cream from Wal-Mart for $6.47. It retails for $8.47 (prices may vary by location), but there was a $2 off coupon on the box so I got it at a cheaper price. This night cream contains 2.7 oz of product. Also, Palmer's does not test on animals!

The claim...
This fast absorbing anti-aging formula is loaded with targeted skin firming and smoothing ingredients. Powerful antioxidants and peptides work together with Cocoa and Shea Butters to leave skin soft, smooth and radiant. The unique combination of these ingredients provides a luxurious cream to maintain moisture levels throughout the night for smoother, softer skin.

Beneficial Ingredients... 

• Cocoa and Shea Butters: deeply moisturize and nourish 
• Retinol: encourages skin's renewal
• Peptide Complex: supports skin structure and integrity
• Vitamin E: powerful antioxidant
• Aloe Vera: soothes and calms skin
• Milk Proteins: helps improve skin's texture and tone
• Evening Primrose: soothes stressed skin

The claim and benefits are listed above in case this is too small to read. 

My Thoughts...

After the first use, I could tell a difference in my skin; it was so much softer and continues to improve with each use. I really love that it absorbs so quickly. Whenever I used it for the first time, I wasn't sure if I liked that because I was concerned that it wasn't properly moisturizing. But, now, I love the fast absorption because I know that my skin truly is locking in that moisture. The box claims that there's a fresh white lily fragrance. If you're sensitive to fragrances, this might not be the product for you. I really enjoy the smell and have noticed the more I use this night cream, the more I get a faint whiff of Cocoa Butter...which I really like.

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I have a review that will be up in a day or two on Witch Hazel and how I've incorporated it in my skin care routine. 
• Ross is coming to see me tomorrow! I can't wait! (:
• I talked to my grandmother the other day and found out she and my aunt made 21 fire balls for (around) New Years. I will post pictures of fireballs and what they are in a few months whenever we throw them. Yeah, I'm pretty excited about it! 
• I've picked out my classes for my last semester at Troy! I cannot wait to graduate in May and get a big girl job! (:

What is your favorite night cream?

My First Blog Award!

It might sound crazy, but I feel like I've been accepted into the cool club!

Neha gave me the "One Lovely Blog Award!" I just started blogging about a week or two ago and I already feel like I've made friends in the blogging community. (:
Thanks, Neha for thinking of me! You made my day! :)









The Rules...

• You may thank the person who nominated you...It's optional... :)
• Add The One Lovely Blog Award to your post.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Pass the award onto the people who u think deserve this award (not more than 15 people)

Seven Things about myself...

• I am very close to my family, friends, and of course, my boyfriend! :)
• Pointed silverware creeps me out...like when the handle comes to a point. I have my own "safety silverware" at Ross' because I don't like using the other kind.
• Nasty teeth and rank breath freak me out! With that being said, I have an slight obsession with brushing my teeth. I seriously brush about 6-8 times a day. It used to be worse until my dentist told me to chill out or not have enamel by the time I'm 25 or 30. 
• I love food! I'm a savory, not a sweet! :)
• I love to go out with friends, but I'm usually a homebody.
• Ross and I have really been into wine lately. We think we're so fancy because we now have legit wine glasses and cute wine stoppers.
• I love animals! :)

And the award goes to...
BudgetBeautiful

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• So excited to go home tomorrow and see my family!
• I went to the movies last night ($1 movie night!) with some friends. Well, actually, me and my old roommate saw something else because she didn't buy a ticket early for House at the End of the Street and they were sold out. So, we went to see Dredd and it was really good. When it first started, we were like oh gosh, a guy movie...but we both really liked it. 
• I have been obsessed with PSY's Gangnam Style and I've about got the dance down! I need to ask my friend from Korea what he's saying.

TAG: Pretty in Pink (for Breast Cancer Awareness Month)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I've known several women who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, as I'm sure many of you have, too. Even though Cervical Cancer hits closer to home- my mom lost her battle to Cervical Cancer October 27 2009- I remember getting up with her early on a Saturday in October to participate in Curves Breast Cancer Awareness walk. We participated in the walks for three years and I met the sweetest people and heard some inspiring stories. Since pink is the awareness color and a lot of people wear pink in October for awareness,  I thought it would be fun to create a tag and share our favorite pink beauty and fashion items.

Tag questions...
What is your favorite pink eyeshadow? I absolutely love the pink shade in the Walking on Eggshells trio by Wet-n-Wild. This is probably my favorite eyeshadow trio I have. I've repurchased at least three  or four times. EmilyNoel83 has duped the pink shadow to MAC'S Naked Lunch. Watch her video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YILFQeZZ5SI

What is your favorite pink blush? Elf's Blush  from the Studio line in Fushia Fusion. This is a gorgeous bright blue-pink that goes on matte. I know there is shimmer in the pan, but I don't find that my brush picks up the shimmer. Also, some really pink blushes can pull a little red on me and I like that this one doesn't. Elf's blushes are crazy pigmented (as you can see) so a little goes a long way. I think it's pretty obvious that I really like this blush!

What is your favorite pink lipstick? I recently purchased the NYX lipstick in Fig and I can already tell it's a favorite. The color is so opaque. I like this color because it's a natural-pink lipstick that packs a punch.  Oh, and the best part...these are only $3.99 at Ulta. *Picture below of me wearing NYX's Fig.*

What is your favorite pink lipgloss? My favorite is NYX's Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Beige. I have no idea why they named this lipgloss Beige when it's obviously pink, but nonetheless, it's amazing. Once again, the NYX lipglosses are so pigmented and I love the scent.

What is your favorite pink nail polish? This one was very hard, so I thought the best thing to do would be to choose the shade I wear the most because clearly that means I love it. Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear nail polish in 23- Fushia Power is a pretty classic pink. This is not a unique shade, but it's a color I wear a lot.

What is your favorite pink piece of clothing? I'm not super crazy about the high-low trend, but this sweater was the exception! This was great during the spring months when it was still a little chilly from winter. Because October is all about pink and Breast Cancer Awareness, I'll definitely wear this again...and I'm still obsessed with bright neon colors. 

People I Tag...

• EmilyNoel83 (from BeautyBroadcast)
• Crystalis007
• Michelle1218
• Hollyannnaeree
• Neha Mishra

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I had a wonderful time in Auburn this weekend visiting Ross. On Friday we ordered pizza and just stayed in and on Saturday we made homemade lasagna and he bought us a few bottles of wine. After dinner, he took me to the movies for a date to see Lawless. We thought it was a great movie! 
• I talked to one of my besties today! I was thrilled we were able to catch up...it's been months since we've talked! 
• I also talked to my sister today and I get to babysit my niece and nephew this coming up weekend. I cannot wait! My niece is talking up a storm and my nephew just started walking not long ago! :)

Fixing to leave and watch Lawless. 

Face makeup: Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in 100 Ivory, NYX HD concealer in CW02 Fair, Maybelline Age Rewind in Brightner, Elf Blush in Mellow Mauve (contour) and NYX blush in Summer Peach.

Eye makeup: Revlon Colorstay Quad in 500 Addictive, Elf Cream Eyeliner in Black and  Maybelline The Falsies mascara in Very Black

Lips: NYX lipstick in Fig

What are your favorite pink products?

Review: AcneFree Severe

Let's talk skin care.
Whenever I went off to college almost two years ago, my skin went crazy! I've never had acne, just the occasional blemish because of hormones. I don't know if it was stress, water change (the water in Troy is very soft), change in diet, etc. All I knew was that my skin was awful! I tried everything I could think of that worked for me in high school whenever I had hormonal blemishes, but nothing worked. What was so bad was that I was so self-conscious of my acne that I would use full coverage foundation and heavy duty concealer to cover my imperfections.  My skin wasn't able to breath because I had on a ton of makeup and I refused to leave the dorm without any because I was concerned everyone would stare at my acne. So, one day I was at my whits end; I stumbled across an article that talked about adult acne and how for most people, things that worked for you in high school won't work now because it's a different type of acne. This intrigued me! I also read that maybe the active ingredient that has work in the past, for me it was Salicylic Acid, doesn't work for you anymore and it's time for a change. After doing a little research, I decided to try out a product with Benzoyl Peroxide, but I didn't know what product, yet. I found the AcneFree Severe kit by University Medical at Wal-Mart. It retails for about $25 dollars. For some strange reason, whenever I saw this product, I had a feeling it would work for me...and it did! The AcneFree line has different kits for different types of acne.

Step 4's top broke so it won't stand up. 

Introducing AcneFree Severe...
Step 1: Antibacterial Cleansing Wash. This medicated cleanser has advanced micro-benzoyl peroxide. I really felt like those beads were getting deep in my skin. This bottle contains 4 fl oz of product and has 2.5% Benzoly Peroxide in it.

Step 2: Corrective Toner. This oil-control toner is great. I felt like it helped remove my full coverage makeup. Alcohol is the second ingredient so this product is a little drying. This contains 4 fl oz of product.

Step 3: Maximum Strength Repair Lotion. This continuous release lotion contains 10% benzoyl peroxide. The lotion can be a tad drying, but my thought process was, I'll treat the acne first, then focus on the dry skin.

Step 4: Retional Renewal Complex. This is a spot treatment. Only apply at night about 10 minutes after step 2. Disclaimer: This spot treatment works wonders, but it is very drying. If you get dry patches (like I did) use it every other day to help prevent further over drying.

How to apply...
Morning: Use steps 1, 2 and 3.
Night: Use steps 1, 2 and wait about 10 minutes before apply step 4.

Pros: Saw dramatic results in about 2 weeks and was acne free after about a month.
Cons: Drying. I had dry patches on my face where I applied the spot treatment. When I got dry patches, I used an apricot scrub and an intense moisturizer. Then, I used the kit every other day until acne was gone.
Overall thoughts: I love this product! Although I did get dry patches, I still recommend this kit for severe acne. Benzoyl peroxide is a drying product, as it dries up acne. For me, I didn't mind a few dry patches because my overall results were so great!

Reviews on AcneFree Severe: http://www.drugstore.com/university-medical-acnefree-severe-acne-treatment-system/qxp161048?catid=182247

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I did pretty well on my Social Science Inquires test! yay! :)
• Packing to go to Auburn tomorrow! Can't wait to see the boyfriend! <3
• I gave blood yesterday and my finger that they pricked to check iron levels is killing me. It's like they stuck me all the way to the bone...ouch!

What do you use to keep your skin clear?

Review: Sinful Colors Nail Polish. Muse Collection

Left to Right: In the Mist, Muse, Smokin'

I am so in love with these gorgeous dark shades from Sinful Colors! They are going to get a lot of love this fall and winter. I only got three of the colors, but I am very happy with my selection. Before I talk about this particular collection, I want to let y'all know that I have seven of the Sinful Colors nail polishes and they are all wonderful! I can't wear Easy Going (a white based neutral pink) because it doesn't look good with my skintone, but I adore the others. I will be giving Easy Going to my sister. Hopefully it will work for her because it really is a beautiful color. With that being said, this collection   has the same great opacity as the regular line. I didn't get bubbling, streaking, or early chipping. Longevity isn't very important to me though because I change my polish quite regularly, usually every other day. However, there have been days when I've had to wear a polish (from Sinful Colors) longer than usual and it held up perfectly. These colors are a great alternative to black polishes that are nice at times, but can like a little witchy.

You can purchase sinful colors at Rite Aid, Walgreens and my Wal-Mart just started carrying the regular line.

Introducing the colors...
In the Mist. This is the first color I was admittedly drawn to. In the bottle it looks like a charcoal gray dark green, but on the nails it's more of a dark hunter green. Honestly, I don't like green polishes, but I decided to give it a try because for some reason I thought it would work for me. I am so glad I picked this one up. It looks beautiful on the nails and I am looking forward to getting a lot of use out of it. I used two coats and it's a creme finish.

Muse.  This is my favorite color in the collection. It's a murky purple with a charcoal gray undertone.   This is absolutely stunning on the nails...very vampy for this time of year! I am currently wearing this one and I got a compliment earlier at school on the color. I used two coats and it's a creme finish.

Smokin. This is a really pretty true dark charcoal gray. I actually don't have anything like this in my collection so I was really happy about my purchase.  Smokin is a tad more watery than the others, but it isn't too bad that you can't work with it. I used two coats and it's a creme finish.

Overall thoughts...

These are great polishes. I love the formula, shade selection, brush and opacity. These are $1.99...such a steal for an amazing product. 

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I had an awful dream last night! I really shouldn't watch Criminal Minds before I go to bed. 
• I got a new pair of jeans today. I've been needing a new pair for a long time because my others are just getting too big. (Fixing to brag...I was in a 3! Thank goodness I lost all that weight!)
• Hopefully Skype will be working tonight so I can talk (rather, see) Ross! :)

Have you tried any of the Sinful Colors Nail Polishes? If so, what did you think? What are you fall/winter nail polish must- haves?! 

What's In My Makeup Bag (for school or work)

I love watching videos on YouTube to see what's in other girl's makeup bags. I think we all have this curiosity to see what other ladies rely on to keep them looking fabulous throughout the day. So, I will be showing you what I keep in my school makeup bag for touch-ups. Thankfully, my makeup is usually pretty good about staying in place until I get home from class, but there are days when it's a long school day and there's no telling what I am going to look like at the end of it. I have combination skin and I don't use primers (although I am thinking about trying the Black Radiance Primer that Crystalis007 talked about). So, let's go ahead and take a peek in my travel makeup bag. All products are from the drugstore.

I got this bag from Ross' parents. It came in a cute goodie bag for Valentine's Day! So sweet! :) Anyways, it's the perfect size for my essentials. You can purchase little bags like this from Wal-Mart, Target, etc...

What's in my bag...

• Oil Blotting Sheets- I love the Elf ones and they're only a dollar for 50 sheets. This is a great product for blotting your T-zone (or wherever you get shiny). I don't usually need powder after blotting my face and I've found that my skin looks so much better when I'm not applying more product through the day. Elf can be purchased at target or eyeslipsface.com.
• Powder Compact- I know I just said that I don't use powder after blotting my face, and typically, I don't. But, on the rare occasion I do need a little more help with shine so powder is great for helping keep shine at bay as well as offering extra coverage. Right now I'm using the Covergirl pressed powder in 105 Ivory. It's a great color match, but I don't like this powder and I would not recommend it. I'm just trying to use it up.
• Eyeliner- This is not really a necessity and honestly I don't re-apply eyeliner at school unless I'm going somewhere after and need touch-ups. I keep this in here as a "just in case essential." If it's a long school day and I'm meeting friends after, I may want to touch up before going out. I like the Loreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black- this isn't my absolute favorite, but it is nice. I do like that it's travel friendly.
• Concealer- Like the eyeliner, I don't reapply unless it's a long school day and I'm going somewhere after. I love the Mybelline Age Rewind in Brightner because I feel like there's a touch of coverage, but it's also brightening. I don't have a problem with this getting cakey after applying over other products.
• Eyelash curlers- Bringing an eyelash curler is a must for me! That extra curl throughout the day is a great way to make you look more awake. It's like Emily Eddington (EmilyNoel83 from Beauty Broadcast) said... "Your hair falls throughout the day and so do your lashes..." - or something like that. :) P.S My eyelash curlers are from Revlon.
• A makeup sponge- Sometimes throughout the day your makeup can shift around and not look too good after a few hours. I love taking a damp sponge and blotting my face to help re-blend anything that's shifted around or gotten cakey. I do this step after I use the blotting papers, if needed. I feel like it's not always about adding more product but taking a little away to look more natural.
• Lipgloss/Lipstick/Chap-Stick/Tinted Lip Balm- One way to really  make you look more put together is to reapply something to your lips. I keep chapstick and lipgloss in my bag at all times, but if I'm wearing a specific lipstick that day, I take that too. I love the Carmex chap-stick in Strawberry and Rimmel's Moisture Renew Gloss in Pink Spa (a sheer gloss). Here lately I've been carrying NYX's lipgloss in Beige because it's so much more opaque than Rimmel's. 
• A tampon- Yeah, ladies, it just got a little personal. But, really, it's never a good thing when it's that time of the month and you don't have the personal necessities. I remember in high school I kept an "Oopsie Bag" in my locker with tampons, pads, whatever. It always can in handy when my friends or I would need one ASAP! 
• Tweezers- There's nothing worse than getting in natural light and realizing your eyebrows are a hairy mess. 
• Bobby pins and pony tail holder- I really need to get a teeny tiny travel brush or comb for my bag, but I think it's so important to have a bobby pin to fix little places that have come undone and a pony tail holder to put your hair up.
• A small perfume sample- I love perfume samples because they're so travel friendly. It's always nice to have a little refresher throughout the day to keep your pretty selves smelling nice. I am using Sexy Little Things NOIR by Victoria's Secret right now.
• Gum/Mints - I love having something like gum or mints around to freshen up my breath after lunch or throughout the day if needed. There's nothing worse than being "that girl with the rank break." 

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I took the most amazing nap this afternoon. Ah, I needed it so bad!
• I found some sources for my Annotated Bibliography (for my research paper)
• Skype wasn't working tonight so I couldn't see Ross, but at least we were able to talk on the phone.

What are some of your favorite makeup bag essentials?

Review: Concealers: NYX, Covergirl, Hard Candy, Almay and Maybelline.

Let's talk Concealer...
I absolutely love concealer. It's great for covering up dark circles, pigmentation, blemishes, sun spots and more! I think what so great about concealer is if you have amazing skin, you can just pop a little concealer on your imperfections and have a beautiful, clean canvas to work with. Or, if you have more imperfections (scaring, blemishes, dark circles, etc) and uneven skin, concealer is a great way to camouflage without piling on foundation. A lot of girls pile on a full coverage foundation, trying to cover everything and then apply concealer. Foundation is only supposed to even out your skin. The magic of concealer is to give you a little more help, when needed. Today, I'm reviewing five concealers for people with different coverage needs.

Top L to R: Hard Candy Glamoflauge in light, Covergirl Invisible in fair & NYX HD Photogenic in CW02 fair.

Bottom L to R: Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser in brightner & Almay bright eyes concealer and eye base.

Hits:

• NYX HD Photogenic Concealer in CW02 Fair. I love this concealer. It is so creamy and pigmented and doesn't settle in tiny fine lines around the eye. The shade I bought is a tad light for me so I will be going with the CW 03 fair next time. The brand has a great shade range. Being pretty pale, I am most always at the end of the lightest spectrum of shades and usually the shade is a touch dark. With this specific line, I was the second shade, which is a bit light for me. There isn't a whole lot of product (.11 oz) but I've had it about a month and a half and still have plenty left because you don't need much at all.
• Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser in Brightner. I have never used the actual concealer, but I've heard great things about it and plan on trying it at some point. As far as the brightner, at first, I didn't like it. I wasn't crazy about the pinky tone, but I've come to love it. I find that the pink tones really, as the name implies, brightens up the eye area and makes you look more awake. I will be repurchasing because I never want to be without it. The only thing I'm not too crazy about is the sponge tip because you can't clean it. 
• Hary Candy Glamoflauge in light. This is a great heavy duty concealer for those of you with more pigmentation, scaring and dark circles. It's pretty creamy and don't find that it settles into fine lines and wrinkles. I cannot use this concealer everyday because it's way more coverage than my skin needs, but it is nice to have whenever my skin is at it's worst. Also, be aware that the light shade is very light. Medium might be the best shade if you're any darker than I am.

Misses...

• Almay Bright Eyes- concealer and eye base  I do not recommend this product at all! I got this concealer about a year ago. It was on clearance for $2.49 and I had a $2 off coupon, so I got it for only .49 cents. Thank goodness I got this for a massive deal because it really, really sucks. The color is way too yellow and the pigmentation is okay, but not great and doesn't really conceal that well. Although I'm not crazy about using eye primers, I do use this from time to time so it isn't a total waste, but I guess for .49 cents, it's not that serious. 
• Covergirl Invisible in Fair. I can only wear this product on really good skin days. The reason why it's a miss for me is that sometimes it can shift around because of my eye cream. My under eye area is so dry, so I have to wear it and I don't like how this can shift on me and make everything worse. Before I turned 24 and I didn't need an eye cream, this concealer was great and if you have young, amazing skin, I think this would be great for you, but it doesn't work for me anymore. 

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I bought some new nail polishes today from the Sinful Colors Muse Collection- $1.99 each. I will be reviewing them sometime this week.
• Found a rediscovered blush favorite today. Loving Wet-n-Wild's blush in Heather Silk. It was one of  favorites last year and I'm remembering how much I loved it.
• Going to see my old roommate today. Looking forward to catching up!

What's your favorite concealer?

Review: Airspun Loose Face Powder

A little secret to saving some money on face products...
To save some money on face cosmetics, go with a loose powder instead of a compact powder. Why, you may ask? Because for about the same price, you get twice (sometimes three times) the product! Although, this isn't throw-in-your-purse friendly, it's great for setting your foundation before leaving the house. If you get oily throughout the day, just use oil blotting sheets, if you don't want to add more product to your face. FYI: I use Elf's oil blotting paper. These blotting papers are only a dollar and you get 50 of them. I have combination skin (oily T-zone) and I've found that my skin looks so much better when I'm not adding more product, but if you need a powder, go with that. Back to the Airspun face powder, this is hands down my Holy Grail face powder and I feel like no one ever talks about it. I've used this for years. It was actually the first face powder I ever bought. I'm not a sucker for pretty packaging, but I do care about functional packaging. I actually quit using this product for a few years because years ago the packaging was so horrible. Why?!

Story Time...
When I was in high school, I was running late, as usual. I was in the bathroom putting on my makeup and accidently dropped the Airspun loose face powder on the floor. The problem with the old packaging was that the container was cardboard and there wasn't  a hard plastic hole sifter, it was thin plastic (like saran wrap) that you had to punch your own holes. So, when I dropped the container, loose powder went everywhere: all over me, the dog (that was sitting by the door), all over the bathroom and some even got in the hall way. It was a disaster! Because I was running so late, all I had time to do was change clothes and clean the dog and hall way. I had my mom call my step-dad at work to tell him not to go in there until I cleaned it up after school. I was so mad that I swore I would never buy the product again, because of the crappy packaging. Fast forward a year ago when I repurchased the Airspun Powder, four years later. I was in Wal-Mart on the hunt for a good face powder. I almost bought the Loreal one, the one I used after my incident, but saw Airspun had new packaging. Thrilled, I put the Loreal one back and got the Airspun.

About the Loose Powder...
Airspun Loose Face Powder is so unbelievably silky smooth! There is a slight baby powder fragrance to it, but I really enjoy the scent. I have expression lines on my forehead and smile lines and I don't find this product settles in those line. I remember my mom still used this product in her 40s and never said anything about it settling in her fine lines. I think that's another reason of why I love the fragrance-  it reminds me of her. :) This product is about $6 at Wal-Mart, but you can get it at most drugstores for a few dollars more. I have the color Naturally Neutral and it's a tad dark, but I don't think it's too dark where I can't use it. You get 2.3 oz of product- which is huge - and it comes with a powder puff! I've had this one for about a year now and haven't even put a dent in it. Unfortunately, the shade range is pretty limited. They do offer a translucent powder, so if you're interested in this product but have deeper skin or are the fairest of the fair, maybe that would be a good option for you.

Please excuse the dirt puff. I've used it all week and didn't wash it before taking the picture. 

Also, the powder looks a little lighter than it does in real life. 

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I slept in until noon! As a college student, I can't tell you the last time I slept in past 8am.
• I am fixing to heat up some left over pizza...pretty excited about it! 
• I bought a new dress yesterday! It's a gorgeous deep purple maxi that I thought would be super cute with a scarf and cardigan for fall.

Do you like loose powder? If so, what's your favorite brand? 

Fall Favorites: Nail Polish

Fall is almost here and I am loving this (slightly) cooler weather. I've already started busting out a few of my darker, more vampy shades. Polished nails can really enhance your outfit; it's really the cherry on top of making you look fabulous! In general, I don't use a base coat (because I'm too lazy), but a few of these I do need a base coat so my nails are not stained after I remove the polish. I tend to change my nail polish about every two to three days so, to me, longevity isn't a big deal. However, there are times when I  don't get to change my polish as often as I'd like- that's when these polishes are really put to the test. Believe it or not, more often that not, the less than $2 NYC and Sinful Colors polishes last as long, if not longer, than the other brands. 

The polishes...

NYC In A New York Minute in 270- Sidewalkers. This is a gorgeous neutral grey...I'm wearing it on my toes right now. I will warn you that the formula is a tad watery-thin for my taste, but I don't mind since the overall payoff is pretty good...I only need about two good coats. Also, this is a creme finish.  You can buy this polish at Wal-Mart, Target and Rite-Aid. I haven't seen NYC in my CVS or Walgreens.

Note: The NYC Long Wearing Enamel Polish stinks...save your money!

ULTA in Set the Nude. This was the first neutral, nude color that I bought and loved right away. I am pretty fair so it's sometimes difficult to find a great neutral polish that isn't too pink or too white. This polish is a beautiful neutral grey with a little brown and purple undertones...I only use two coats and it's a creme finish. I wore this one to a wedding in April and got many compliments on it. You can buy this polish from Ulta. Disclaimer: This is the mini-size bottle.

Spoiled in S065- Steel the Show. This is a stunning browny-taupe with some slight purple undertones.  The brush on these is very similar to the Sally Hanson Intsa-Dry, but I can actually use this product, as oppoed to the Sally Hanson one. The formula isn't too bad, but you do have to use about three coats for this one and sometimes I get a patchy/streaky nail that has to be re-done. This is a creme finish. For the price, though, you can't beat it. I passed on this shade many times until I saw it on Michelle1218's Youtube video and was instantly in love with the color. You can buy this polish at CVS.

NYC In A New York Minute 248- Manhattan. This a very pretty black based plum. I just got this color today, but I had to include it in my favorites because I know I'm going to get a ton of use out of it. I did use a base coat because with this deep shade, I was sure my nails would get stained. I did three coats, but I could have gotten away with two. This is a creme finish. You can buy this polish at Wal-Mart, Target and Rite-Aid. I haven't seen NYC in my CVS or Walgreens.

Note: The NYC Long Wearing Enamel Polish stinks...save your money!

Hard Candy in 041- Mr. Right. I love this navy polish so much; it's probably one of my most worn polishes! I have been obsessed with navy and this polish is gorgeous. I like that it's a true navy- doesn't look too black to me- although it's picking up a little dark on camera. I love this formula and I will be trying more of Hard Candy's polishes at some point. This is a creme finish.You can buy this polish at Wal-Mart.

ULTA in Love My Blackberry. This is a stunning black-based purple...in the picture it looks more indigo. It isn't a total creme finish because it has a sheen to it, but absolutely no glitter and the formula is nice, too. I prefer to wear this on my fingernails, instead of my toes. I do find that I need a base coat with this one so my nails don't get stained. You can buy this polish at Ulta. Disclaimer: This is the mini-size bottle.

Sinful Colors in 1053- Rain Storm. This is one of my absolute favs! I bought this one probably two weeks ago and was instantly in love. I think this one is from there Enchanted collection so hopefully you can still pick it up. This is a semi- dark, but more of a midtone blue with maybe a teeny bit of grey undertones. I use two coats, but honestly, you can get away with only one if you're pressed for time.

ULTA in Plum Street. This is a gorgeous vampy reddish wine color. It isn't black based so it isn't crazy dark, but it's beautiful for this time of year. The picture is making the color look like a more classic red, but it is more dark in real life. This is a creme finish and I only need about two coats. I do use a base coat with this one so my nails don't get stained. You can buy this polish at Ulta. Disclaimer: This is the mini-size bottle.

Wet-n-Wild Megalast in 208B- Through the Grapewine. I adore this color so much! This is a beautiful color that I think could be worn year round. Sometimes in the colder months I get tired of wearing the darker colors and want a nice, fun pop of color...a brighter color. The color is a purple-pink and it's a creme finish. I only need two coats of this. I really love the formula of the megalast polishes. I'm not crazy about their original line, but Wet-n-Wild really stepped it up with this line. You can find this polish at CVS, Walgreens and Rite-Aid...I'm not sure about Wal-Mart.

Milani Jewel FX in 530- Gems. Finally, a fun glitter! I am so in love with this glitter polish. I use it as an accent color on my ring finger and have used it with all these colors except Set the Nude and Sidewalkers. Although, I do plan on using it with those colors in the semi-near future. This polish has itty bitty glitter flecks and small ones, too...no big glitter. Surprisingly, this polish went on pretty opaque for a glitter polish. I only needed two coats. In case you're wondering, I'm wearing Sinful Colors Rain Storm. I know it looks different that in the above picture, but the lighting was different. Note: Glitter is a pain to remove. Use the foil method to easily remove glitter. 

Daily Dose of Pretty...

• I cannot get Taylor Swift's new song, We Are Never Getting Back Together, out of my head...so in love with that song! I am jamming out to it right now!
• I will be a bookworm all weekend. I never should have taken two literature classes in the same semester.
• Pretty excited that the first day of Autumn is tomorrow! This is my favorite time of year!

What fall nail polishes would you recommend?